Disconnecting switch



m, 24, 1946. J. 5 THOMPSON 29413300 DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed March 15, 1946.

I I F' i 7'7'0E/VEY Patented Dec. 24, 1946 UNITED STATES PA ENrorFicE DISCONNECTING' SWITCH Joseph S. Thompson, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Pacific Electric Manufacturing Corporation, San Francisc of California 0, Calif., a corporation Application March 15, 1946; Serial No. 654,532.

expensive locking means could not be economicalv ly justified.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of locking means for disconnecting switches of the type having a blad thatcooperates with a stationary contact clip in which the blade and contact clip are adapted to become interlocked and disengaged in a new and novel manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive locking means for preventing an accidental circuit opening movement between a switch blade and a stationary contact clip. t,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part evident to those skilled in the art, and in part pointed out hereinafter in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation, a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing: I

Figure l is a prospective view of a disconnecting switch constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention, and

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines II-II of Figure 1, looking in direction of arrows.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is now made to Figure 1 of theaccompanying drawing wherein I have shown my improved locking means as applied to a switch of the type such as is employed to disconnect or temporarily isolate a section of high voltage transmission line for the protection of linemen working thereupon or in making repairs or connections. In the drawing the numeral I!) designates a supporting base which, in the present instance, is shown as composed of a length of channel iron upon which vertical insulator stands H and I2 of the usual type are mounted in spaced relation. Atits upper end the insulator stand II is provided with a metallic cap 13 thathas an r extending terminal lug or boss I 4 to which a power line conductor may be connected. This cap 5 3 also has an upstanding terminal clip l5 upon which a switch blade l 6 of rectangular cross section is pivotally mounted by means of a shaft H. In like manner the insulator stand 52 carries a metallic cap I8 upon which there is formed a terminal lug or boss I to which theother conductor of a power line may be connected. Extending upwardly from the top of the metallic cap l8 there are two spaced contact forming members [9 and 29 that form a stationary terminal clip having opposed contact faces between which the free end of the pivotally mounted switch blade I6 is adapted to be positioned when vided with an inwardly displaced tongue or boss which forms an abutment 2| that will operate as a stop to prevent an excessive circuit closing movement of the switch blade I6 after it has been positioned between the contact forming members l9 and 20. In like manner the contact member 2% is shown as provided with an inwardly offset portion which Lformsa locking abutment 22 that will overlie the switch blade l6 and prevent a circuit opening movement thereof after it has been moved into full engagement with the contact faces of the members l9 and 2c. At this point it may be mentioned that, in the preferred arrangement, the switch blade !5 will be of such .a length and be constructed in such a manner and/or of such material as will permit a twisting thereof without danger of the switch blade taking a permanent set by the required twisting thereof. In addition to this, the invention also contemplates that the upwardly extending contact forming members I9 and 20 will be of such material and construction that they may be spread or flexed outwardly by a twisting of the cooperating end of the switch blade 15 so as to avoid the locking abutment 22 and permit a withdrawal of the switch blade therefrom.

In the present instance, in order to provide a simple and eifective means'for imparting a combined twisting and circuit opening movement to the switch blade Hi, the switch blade is here shown as being bent at a right angle so as to provide a laterally extending arm or lever 23 at one side thereo'f. This arm or lever 23 may be of any required length and may be adapted for operation by any suitable means. In the present instance this laterally extending arm or lever 23 is shown as provided with two notches 24 and 25 that extend into opposite sides thereof and at different distances from the plane of the switch blade H3. The notch 24 is shown as located nearest to the switch blade l6 and when pressure is applied to the switch blade H at this point it may be moved into full engagement with the contact clip formed by the contact members l9 and without any perceptible twisting thereof. By the same token, the notch is located outwardly at a greater distance from the plane of the switch blade I6 so that when a switch blade operating force is applied at this point the free end of the switch blade [6 will be twisted so that its outer edge will be moved out of underlying relation with the stop or looking abutment 22 upon the contact forming member 26 and as a result the switch blade It may then be operated freely into its full open circuit position. i

It is believed that the operation of my improved switch blade locking arrangement will be fully understood from" the above and ittherefore appears only necessary to add that the laterally disposed arm or lever 23 may be extended to either. side of the switch blade [5. However, if the position of the arm or lever 23 is changed to extend in a reverse direction to that here shown in the drawing it will be evident that the stop forming and blade locking abutments 2i and 22' carried respectively by the contact forming members 19 and 20 will be located on the other of these two members. It will also be understood that, instead of the notches 24 and 25, the laterally extending lever arm 23 may be provided with extending rings or open holes at the positions indicated by these notches for the ac commodation of a hook at the end of an operating stick such as is customarily used for the operation of switches of this character. In connection ith Figure 2 of the drawing it should be pointed out that the illustrated flexing of the contact clip forming members IS and 2|], and the prominence of the locking abutment 22 have been somewhat exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the manner in which the parts cooperate.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated a specific form and arrangement, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form disclosed, but may be embodied in other forms and arrangements that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a disconnecting switch of the character described the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade having a torsional characteristic adapted to permit a twisting of its free end out of itsnormal plane, a stationary terminal clip with which the free end of said switch blade is adapted to cooperate to complete a circuit, said stationary clip having opposed contact faces that will spread when the free end of said switch blade is twisted out of its normal plane, means carried by one of said opposed contact faces adapted to retain said switch blade in its circuit closed position, and means for imparting a circuit opening movement to said switch blade adapted to twist the blade and spread the Opposed contact faces of said stationary clip and thus render said means 4 inoperative to prevent a, normal circuit opening movement of said switch blade.

2. In a disconnecting switch of the character described, the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade having torsional characteristics adapted to permit a twisting of its free end out of its normal plane, a stationary terminal clip with which the free end of said switch blade is adapted to cooperate to complete a circuit, said stationary clip having opposed contact faces that will spread when the cooperating free end of said switch blade is twisted out of its normal plane, an extending boss carried by one of said opposed contactfaces adapted to overlie said switch blade when in its circuit closed position, and means for imparting a circuit opening movement to said switch blade adapted to twist the blade and cause the opposed contact faces of said stationary clip to spread and render said extending boss inoperative to prevent a normal circuit opening movement of said switch blade. v

3. In a disconnecting switch of the character described, the combination of a terminal clip forming a pivotal support for a switch blade, a second terminal clip having upstanding clip forming portions providing a stationary contact for the free end of the switch blade, a flexible switch blade pivotally mounted upon said first terminal clip adapted to be moved into a circuit closing position between the upstanding clip forming pOrtions' of said second terminal clip, an inwardly extending boss carried by one of the upstanding clip' forming portions of said second terminal clip adapted to prevent an inadvertent circuit opening movement of said switch blade when in its circuit closed position, and means at the free end'of said switch blade arranged and adapted to flexsaid switch blade between the upstanding clip forming portions of said second terminal clip' to thus render said boss inoperative and prevent a circuit opening movement of said switch blade when a circuit opening force is applied to said means.

4. In a disconnecting switch of the character described, the combination of a terminal clip forming a pivotal supportfor a switch blade, a second terminal clip having upstanding clip forming portions providing a stationary contact for the free end of the switch blade, a twistable switch blade pivotally mounted upon said first terminal clip adapted to be moved into a circuit closing position between the upstanding clip forming portions of said second terminal clip, an inwardly extending abutment carried by one of the upstanding clip forming portions of said second terminal clip adapted to prevent an inadvertent circuit opening movement of said switch blade when in its circuit closed position, and an operating arm at the free end of said switch blade arranged and adapted to twist said switch blade between the upstanding clip forming portions of said second terminal clip to thus rlender said abutment inoperative and prevent a circuit opening movement of said switch blade when a circuit opening force is applied to said arm.

5. In a pole type disconnecting switch, the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade having a length suificient to permit a twisting of the free end thereof out of its normal plane, a

stationary contact with which the free end of said switch blade isadapted to cooperate and;

complete a circuit, said stationary contact having opposed yielding contact iaces between which the end of said switch blade is adapted to be positioned when in its circuit closed position, a

5 locking abutment upon one of the yielding contact faces of said stationary contact adapted to engage said switch blade when in its circuit closed position between said contact faces, and said switch blade being bent at a right angle at its free end, whereby said switch blade will be twisted out of locking engagement with said abutment when a switch opening force is applied to the right angled end thereof.

6. In a pole type disconnecting switch, the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade having a length sufiicient to permit a twisting of the free end thereof out of its normal plane, a stationary contact with which the free end of said switch blade is adapted to cooperate and complete a circuit, said stationary contact having opposed yielding contact faces between which the end of said switch blade is adapted to be positioned when in its circuit closed position, a locking abutment upon one of the yielding contact faces of said stationary contact adapted to engage said switch blade when in its circuit closed position between said contact faces, and said switch blade being bent at a right angle at its free end and having an operating stick accommodating notch thereupon, whereby said switch blade will be twisted out of locked engagement with said abutment when a switch opening force 6 is applied to its right angled end by an operating stick.

7. In a pole type disconnecting switch, the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade having a length sufiicient to permit a twisting of the free end thereof out of its normal plane, a stationary contact with which the free end of said switch blade is adapted to cooperate to complate a circuit, said stationary contact having opposed yielding contact faces between which the end of said switch blade is adapted to be positioned when in its circuit closed position, a stop forming abutment upon one of the yielding contact faces of said stationary contact for limiting the circuit closing travel of said switch blade, a locking abutment upon the other said yielding contact faces adapted to overlie the outer edge of said switch blade and lock it in its circuit closed position between said contact faces, said switch blade being bent at its free end to form a right angled extension, and an operating stick accommodating means upon said right angled extension, whereby said switch blade may be moved into its circuit closed position by an operating stick without a twisting thereof and subsequently twisted out of engagement with said locking abutment when a switch opening force is applied thereto through the operating stick.

JOSEPH S. THOMPSON. 

